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Book Review & Giveaway : Jewel Loom Inspirations

Loom beadwork is fast way of getting results particularly for bracelets. Like a lot of hand crafts, the repetitive action loom beading is soothing. The looms though are usually tabletop affairs and hardly the kind of tool to pack when on the move. But a hugely popular and innovative loom changed all that back in 2013. It is so small and portable, you could pop it into your and take it with you on vacation.

I spotted the tool some time ago and bought it because of its great potential for both bead and wire work. The Jewel Loom is incredibly cost effective. This kit via Amazon includes the loom, needle, threader and pouch costs just $11.50! The flexible design is ingenious. The metal bar is slotted into the 2 holes of the loom. This makes the loom curve more. The warp threads are set up and tied around button like pegs at the back. When the metal bar is removed, the loom straightens and in the process makes the warp threads taut.

The inventor of the Jewel Loom is Julianna Avelar of Casa De Jewels. I recently received her new book Jewel Loom Inspirations for review. It is published by Fons and Porter/F+W. The 17 projects in the book teaches not just how to use the tool but showcases many ideas to try. They are all indeed quick and fun projects for all levels, aged 12+!

Some of the projects like the middle picture in the contents use leather cords as the warp “threads”.

Many of the bracelet projects showed how larger beads can be used instead of the typical seed beads. The 2-hole tile beads used for the Checked Cuff below will really speed up the design. I liked how the designer showed alternative ways to easily finish the ends. Ribbon clamps (as below) or box clasps are used. The leather cord designs were finished with button clasps.

Checkered Cuffs

Another great idea in the book is to use the seed bead loom work as the foundation for more elaborate designs like the Ocean‘s Desire bracelet below.

Ocean‘s Desire

There were also excellent ideas for necklaces such as this choker :

Victorian Choker

I would have never considered using the loom for beaded rings until I saw this Loopy Jewel ring! The loom can be used with beads as small as 15/0.

Loopy Jewel ring

Non-beaders will be intrigued to see how the loom can be used to create wire designs. The warp “threads“ for the Goddess amulet design are actually strands of craft wire. This makes the design strong so it can serve as a firm foundation for additional embellishments. Clever way of making the warp wire ends look like a fringe!

The Swarovski Crystal brooch project shows how using wire wrap threads can support a number of large beads.

Swarovski Crystal brooch

The Inspiration Gallery section was outstanding. They show the enormous potential of this simple tool. Some of the designs include a fringed lampshade and a beaded embellishment for a jacket. Shown here are two of my favorites.

The book is an excellent companion to the Jewel loom. It covers all the basic instructions needed to get started. The easy and quick projects definitely sparks creativity. The potential of the tool is only limited by one‘s imagination!

Giveaway
If you'd like to win a copy of Jewel Loom please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.

Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.

This giveaway is international. If the winner has a non-post box US address, the prize will be a physical book. Otherwise it will be an eBook.

Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments.

It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, February 15, 2016 . I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!

Disclosure
I receive books and products for review. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.

Pearl thank you again for sharing a book that adds another dimension to jewelry making. I bought this loom a month ago to explore but felt overwhelmed and at a loss as to where to start. I would love to win this book to push me into the right direction. Thank you again!

My daughter and I love making jewelry. She has such amazing ideas. This book would be great to have. And the pictures of all the work is amazing! I love the bracelets. My daughters favorite color is purple. I'm hoping I can make one similar for her.

I have made bracelets similar to Ocean's Desire but never thought to use my loom. I'd love to see how Julianna uses this in her designs and for inspiration! Thank you Pearl for sharing this with us! (swirl2941@yahoo.com)

Oh my goodness! That last wire cuff is gorgeous! I'd love to give this a go Pearl. Did you by chance take yours with you? :0) I've got an idea. When you get back - why don't you just stay on the plane and come this way and we'll play for a week in the studio?! You could teach me how to do this and I could teach you how to do...oh...something.... :0)

Just came back from Tucson and took a bead loom class from Julianna. The loom is inexpensive, easy to use and the book is wonderful. We made an awesome bracelet! I did not buy the book as I already had to much to bring home on the plane. I would love to have it though.

I would love to have this book. I bought a Jewel Loom when they first came out, but have never used it. Maybe having this book would inspire me to make something with it.I am a blog subscriber, catnpr(at)AOL(dot)com

I love the Jewel Loom! I think the book that further inspires you to do more with the JL is a fabulous idea for a giveaway! My email is:thesauciestwench@yahoo.com Thank you for the opportunity to win such a fab giveaway!!

I would like to try using a bead loom. When I try something new I like to get a book and I didn't realize you could use wire. The last bracelet was gorgeous. I can hardly wait to try some of these projects.a.p.brad@rogers.com

I've had my eye in this for a while. Been waiting to see if you would review it. It sounds "Derin" proof! I love working with wire and beads and live the idea of marrying the two in a loom. What a great giveaway!

Wow! I am a follower, and I also have a quite old little wooden loom that I have recently taken out of its drawer so it would be exciting to have a new source of inspiration through this book ( I see that a few Danielles have entered , but I trust my luck ! )

Nice book! I am a blog follower and seed bead addict and would love to get this book, either through drawing or purchase :) I tried to enter on my phone so apologies if I commented twice, nellielaan.blogspot.com

I have had a similar loom for many years. I bought it when Aleene's Creative living show was aired in Canada. Mine is yellow . haven't used it in years but held on to it "just in case" . so glad i did as looms are now popular again. so please add me to the list of potential winners for the giveaway . deb4tin at gmail dot com

Hi! I just found your page! Yesterday I made my very first strand for a tiered bracelet using vintage beads from my grandmother's broken necklace. It seemed to take me forever because I was afraid to mess up. You have the prettiest ideas so I am more encouraged this morning. Thank you! :0))))